Vehicle wheel mounting means



Nov. 4, 194 7.

/ v. c. cAss VEHICLE W I 'IEEL MOUNTING MEANS 2 sheets-sheet 1 FiledJuly 27, 1946 INVENTOR. flea/20]; C C2255 Nov. 4 1947. v; c. cAssVEHICLE WHEEL MOUNTING MEANS Filed July 27, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. fifZZO/Z C (2255 BY Patented Nov. 4, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENTQFFICE 2,430,158 VEHICLE WHEEL MOUNTING MEANS Vernon C. Cass, Chicago,111.

Application July 27, 1946, Serial No. 686,744

4 Claims. 1

My invention appertains to vehicle wheel mounting means permitting awheel to be quickly attached or removed.

A main object of my invention is to provide improved vehicle wheelmounting means of the afore-mentioned character, which does away withthe present bolts and lugs used for mounting vehicle wheels, and whichareundesirable because they consume considerably more time in both theremoval and attachment of vehicle wheels.

An important object of my invention is to provide Vehicle wheel mountingmeans, which consists of key, or spline, means being integral with thehub structure, and corresponding slotted means, or key-ways for locatingthe vehicle wheel in position, the vehicle wheel being provided withsemi-circularly formed helical and toothed portions for engagement of alocking bolt, which is provided with knife-edged means adapted to engagein locking relationship the said toothed semi-helical formations.

A further object of my invention is to provide a single centrallylocated lock nut arrangement for mounting and dismounting vehiclewheels.

A further object of my invention is to provide a vehicle wheel mountingmeans of the aforementioned character which is practical inconstruction, efficient in its operation and use, and of such simpleelemental construction as to warrant economical manufacture thereof inquantity production.

Other features, and ancillary objects inherent in my invention willbecome apparent to those familiar with the art, by reference to theaccompanying drawings, bearing further elucidation in the ensuingdescription, wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts, andin which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1, with certain portions thereof brokenaway, in order to more clear- 1y depict the elemental structurecomprising my invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view in enlargement taken,substantially, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the semi-helical means and knife-edgedmeans cooperating therewith, in order to secure locking engagement ofthe lock nut structure; an important feature of my invention.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view shown partially in cross-section, indicatingand depicting the elemental structural relationship of the partscomprising my invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary and enlarged crosssectional view taken,substantially, on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the various views, my invention is generally designated 1,and consists of wheel mounting means, which is mounted on the hub 8,having the rotatable extension 9 thereon suitably connect-ed to theprime mover of the vehicle., The said rotatable extension 9 is providedwith aquick lead thread I0, engaged by the pins I5, which are secured tothe hub of the lock nut I4.

The lock nut I4 is attached, or removed by means of the polygonalextension 24 by application of a wrench fitted thereto. The vehiclewheel 2| is provided with key-ways 23 which are used for locatingvehicle wheel 2! with respect to the splines 22 formed integrally withthe hub 8. When the wheel is located in place, then the lock nut I4 isapplied and tightened, or the reverse procedure is followed in removingthe same.

The locking feature of the lock nut, which consists of a hub I4, has atits lower surface, diametrally extended ribs I6, which are of rhombic orsquare cross-section, as indicated in Fig. 6, and which provide theknife-like edges I6 for engaging the toothed portion I3 of the twosemihelical portions designated II and I2. Thus, a certain amount offorce is required to lock the nut I4, or to unlock the same whenremoving it, depending on .the engagement of the knife-like edges I6with the indentations I3. The rib II serves to reinforce and secure tothe hub I4 the ribs It so as to provide and furnish a rigid lock nutconstruction.

As can be noted, when the lock nut is rotated in the direction of thearrows I8, Fig. 4, the thread I0 through its engagement with the pinsI5, causes the lock nut to travel in a downward direction, causing theknife-like edges IT at the same time to climb the semi-helical portionsII, or in other words, to move in a direction antagonistic to thedownward movement, thus providing excellent and ideal lock nut action.

The wheel is also provided with an indentation I9 for reinforcement, andfor retaining the flange portion 20' of the hub cap 20, which is usedprimarily for decorative purposes, the recessed portion 2I having tabportions 25 cut therefrom, so as to provide a resilient and snappingaction for the hub cap 20 when it i pressed into engagement, or priedoff for accessibility to the nut I 4 for removal, or attachment of thewheel.

I believe, I have herein described rather succinctly. the operation andconstruction of my invention, and inasmuch as the same is susceptible ofmodifications, alterations and improvements, I hereby reserve the rightto all modifications, alterations and improvement coming within thescope and spirit of my invention, as well as all those suggestivelyindicated and embraced in the accompanying drawings, and also all thosethat, may fall within the purview of the foregoing description; myinvention to be limited only to the subjoined claims.

Having thus described and revealed my invention, what I claim as noveland desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Vehicle wheel mounting means comprising, a motivating hub providedwith a plural number of locating splines, a wheel drum provided withkey-ways adapted to fit removably over the said splines, and furtherprovided with semi-helical toothed means, and lock nut means providedwith extended rib portions having knife-like edges adapted to engage thetoothed portions of the said semi-helical toothed means.

2. Vehicle wheel mounting means comprising, a motivating hub providedwith a plural number of locating splines, and further provided with athreaded central extension, a wheel drum provided with key ways adaptedto fit removably over the said splines, and further provided withsemi-helical toothed means, and lock nut means removably attachable tothe said threaded central extension and provided with extended ribportions having knife-like edges adapted to enage the toothed portionsof the said semi-helic'al toothed means.

3. Vehicle wheel mounting means comprising, a motivating hub providedwith a plural number of locating splines, a wheel drum provided withkey-ways adapted to fit removably over the said splines, and furtherprovided with semi-helical toothed means, and lock nut means providedwith extended rib portions having knife-like edges adapted to engage thetoothed portions of the said semi-helical toothed means, the saidsemihelical toothed means having a lead or pitch contra to that of thesaid lock nut means.

4. Vehicle wheel mounting means comprising, a motivating hub providedwith a threaded central extension, a wheel driun provided with keywaysadapted to fit removably over the said splines, and further providedwith semi-helical toothed means, and lock nut means removably attachableto the said threaded central extension and provided with extended ribportions having knife like edges adapted to engage the toothed portionsof the said semi-helical toothed means, the said semi-helical toothedmeans having a lead or pitch contra to that of the said threaded centralextension.

VERNON C. CASS.

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 7 2,227,340 Gaguinto Dec. 31,1940 2,244,083 Richter June 3, 1941

